About This Book:
This hilarious and heartwarming contemporary middle-grade graphic novel is about eldest sister Abby, who is sick of being trapped at home with her FOUR younger siblings as they all suffer from the chickenpox―for fans of Guts and Allergic.
All big sister Abby wants is to spend more time with her friends, far away from the sticky fingers and snooping eyes of her annoying brothers and sisters. But when a case of the chickenpox leaves the Lai kids covered in scratchy red spots and stuck at home together for two weeks of nonstop mayhem, Abby thinks this might be the end . . . of her sanity. Yet she feels responsible for the situation since her best friend was Patient Zero and brought chickenpox into their home.
*Review Contributed By Adrien Carter, Staff Reviewer*
Sibling Chaos, Friendship, and Unexpected Lessons
Chickenpox follows Abby, the eldest of five children, who wants to spend more time away from home with her friends. Unfortunately a case of the chickenpox leaves Abby and her siblings stuck at home together for two weeks. Abby worries for her own mental well being but also feels responsible since her best friend was the one who brought chickenpox into their home. Will Abby make it out unscathed? Or will she realize that being the eldest sibling isn’t as bad as she once thought it was?
What I liked: This book opens by introducing you to Abby, and her perspective on her four younger siblings. You get to meet them briefly before getting a deeper introduction to Abby’s friends and life at school. The illustrations in this book are vibrant and give each character a unique personality, throughout the book each of the main characters gets a sheet in which you are introduced to their interests and the aspects of their look that makes them unique.
The antics that Abby’s siblings get into throughout this book add a layer of fun to the story which makes it entertaining from start to finish. One of the funniest moments is when Abby brings up the game Ghost with her siblings, even if she knows that her mom has banned the game for a reason. The playful energy from the siblings bring a sense of authenticity to this story that captures the chaos and love that tends to come with family life. Readers will be laughing at the mischief the younger siblings cause while also appreciating the bond that Abby has with each of her siblings.
Abby learns a valuable lesson at the close of this story as she spends more time with her siblings and appreciates each of their unique traits. Through Abby’s experiences with her family, you see the importance of caring for each other even when things are as you planned. The story highlights the ups and downs of sibling relationships, while showing that disagreements and challenges may arise but love and support remain at the center of those connections. The way Abby interacts with each member of her family showcases the idea of family and how that means you look out for one another even when that isn’t as easy of a task.
Along with the theme of family, this book looks at the theme of miscommunication among friends and the challenges that come with working through uncomfortable situations. Abby and her friends experience moments of misunderstanding but the story emphasizes the importance of open communication. This book did a great job of showcasing how to navigate uncomfortable moments with your friends and that all relationships require patience and effort.
Final Verdict: Chickenpox is a funny and adorable story that balances humor and heartfelt moments. Abby’s journey of growth throughout this book,in her relationships with her mom, siblings, and friends, makes this book a relatable and insightful read. This book is perfect for readers ages 8 and up, and is a delightful story about family, friendship, and learning to embrace the unexpected.
